Res. No. 1983
Resolution calling upon the United States Congress to pass and the President to sign H.R. 179, the Community AIDS and Hepatitis Prevention Act, to lift the ban on federal funds for Syringe Exchange Programs to reduce the transmission of blood-borne pathogens, including HIV and viral hepatitis.
By Council Members Mendez, Palma, Brewer, Dickens, James, Mealy, Sanders Jr. and Weprin
Whereas, In the United States, each year approximately 8,000 Americans contract HIV/AIDS and 15,000 Americans contract the Hepatitis C virus, directly or indirectly from sharing contaminated syringes; and
Whereas, Of the total HIV/AIDS cases nationally, nearly one-third are attributed to injection drug use (IDU), while 60 percent of all Hepatitis C cases are attributed to IDU; and
Whereas, Since 1988, the federal government has imposed a ban on federal dollars being spent on syringe exchange programs (SEPs); and
Whereas, Despite this prohibition, 36 states have independently funded these types of programs recognizing the contribution of reducing the spread of these viruses and the inherent public health value; and
Whereas, A federal government review of SEPs has also revealed that these programs reduce the number of new HIV infections and do not lead to an increase in drug use among injection drug users; and
Whereas, Additionally, SEPs are cost effective, as the cost of prevention programs is significantly less than the total cost of lifetime treatment of an individual with HIV; and
Whereas, In New York City, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) implemented SEPs beginning in 1988, to reduce the spread of HIV among IDUs; and
Whereas, DOHMH recently announced that nearly one-fifth of New Yorkers are exposing themselves to greater risk of HIV by having multiple sexual partners and injecting drugs; and
Whereas, While the number of injection drug users who have HIV has decreased from the 1990s, the virus is still common among this vulnerable population; and
Whereas, DOHMH currently offers SEPs in nearly 30 neighborhoods throughout the five boroughs; and
Whereas, President Barack Obama has expressed support for lifting the federal ban on SEPs, as part of his HIV/AIDS prevention plan; and
Whereas, Through the passage of H.R. 179, the Community AIDS and Hepatitis Prevention Act, the country can implement a more comprehensive, evidence-based approach to combating the spread of these viruses; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the United States Congress to pass and the President to sign H.R. 179, the Community AIDS and Hepatitis Prevention Act, to lift the ban on federal funds for Syringe Exchange Programs to reduce the transmission of blood-borne pathogens, including HIV and viral hepatitis.
JM
LS# 7402
May 11, 2009